Mind The Gap

America’s British population has taken to the web to voice its displeasure at news that U.S. candy giant Hershey has successfully blocked our much loved U.K.-produced chocolate from being exported to the land of the free.

Benedict Cumberbatch’s Waxwork Fitting: a Feast for the Eyes

There aren’t many people that can spend the run-up to their birthday having their eyeballs matched, but such is the increasingly surreal life of Benedict Cumberbatch. The Sherlock star has been visiting the London waxwork museum Madame Tussauds so that the sculptors and artists working on his first model can take vital measurements and get the color of his eyes right.

And of course, being a game sort of fellow, he entered into the spirit of things with notable enthusiasm.

He said: “What a weird and wonderful compliment to be included in the ranks of talent already committed to wax. I’ve been accused of being wooden in my work but never waxy.

“The main privilege for me was the process and seeing the amount of exacting work and skill brought to every detail of this art form. It is a wonderful combination of old and new, high-tech and lo-fi skills. Measurements, hand inserted individual hairs and sculpted features.

“As a subject, you stand still surrounded by sculptors, painters, photographers, measurers and a whole army of people who bring together your likeness… it’s an extraordinary experience.

“It’s an extraordinary experience. Also my agents will be thrilled, they’ve wanted a clone of me for some time.”

Benedict’s waxwork—which will be dressed in a sharp dark suit, as if attending a premiere—will be unveiled in October.

Ben Sweet, Madame Tussauds London’s general manager, said: “Our guests made it very clear they wanted to see him in the attraction, and we can’t wait for them to meet his figure later this year.”

And the last, best word goes to Benedict: “Finally I can photobomb myself!”

Fraser McAlpine

Fraser has been writing and broadcasting about music and popular culture for over 15 years, first at the Top of the Pops website, and most recently for the NME, Guardian and MSN. He also wrote BBC Radio 1's Chart Blog and reviews albums for BBC Radio 2.
He is Anglophenia's current resident Brit, blogging about British slang and running around the Mall taking snaps of the crowd at the Royal Wedding, as well as reigniting a childhood passion for classic Doctor Who and cramming as much music in as he can manage.
Fraser invites you to join him on Twitter: @csi_popmusic

Latest Interviews

The Latest from Mind The Gap

America’s British population has taken to the web to voice its displeasure at news that U.S. candy giant Hershey has successfully blocked our much loved U.K.-produced chocolate from being exported to the land of the free.